A knife attacker remains on the loose in Croydon, as officers continue to appeal for information about his whereabouts.

Mark Ricketts, 52, went missing from Southleigh Community Hospital in Croydon, where he was receiving treatment for his mental health, at around 4am on Tuesday September 18.

He was convicted of attempted murder in 1994 for stabbing Mark Kemp more than 20 times in an unprovoked attack.

Ricketts is described as a black male of stocky build, 6ft 2inches tall with black, greying hair.

Police say he requires regular medication, which he does not have with him, and this could affect his behaviour.

When last seen Ricketts was wearing grey bottoms and a dark baseball cap.

Detective Constable Louis Murphy of Croydon police said: "I'm appealing to the public to contact us should they have any information on Ricketts' whereabouts. At this stage, we are unsure of where he may have gone since he absconded from hospital in Croydon.

"Ricketts has a history of violence, and so members of the public are advised not approach him but to call 999 immediately."

This is the third time Mr Ricketts has escaped from a mental health facility.

Ricketts escaped from Springfield Hospital in Tooting twice previously, once in 2004 and again in 2014.

For an immediate sighting of Mark Ricketts, please call 999. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts, or who may have seen him, is asked to call Croydon Police on 101 and quote 18MIS037624.